Little Chefs In The Wild
Our Top Properties For Kids' Menus & Cooking Adventures
A family safari is full of unforgettable moments; those first sightings of elephants at sunrise, the sound of lions calling after dark, the thrill of dusty sundowner drives. But for many young explorers, some of the best memories are made not just in the back of a safari vehicle, but in the kitchen, around the fire, or at the dining table. Across Africa, a growing number of safari lodges and beach properties have reimagined the family experience, pairing exceptional wildlife and marine encounters with kid-friendly menus, hands-on cooking classes, and moments of culinary creativity in the heart of the bush.
Here are our top properties, that we think, really understand that children are not just guests, but adventurers in the making. And in these wild settings, mealtimes become more than routine; they transform into stories, skills, and sensory experiences young travellers carry with them long after the holiday ends.
ZIMBABWE
Somalisa Acacia is one of Africa’s most family-focused safari camps, and it shows in everything from its flexible mealtimes to its wonderfully interactive culinary program. Set beneath ancient acacia trees in Hwange National Park, the camp welcomes children into its Ngwana Club, where food becomes a source of play, culture, and learning.
Here, young guests can roll dough for wood-fired pizzas, design their own toppings, mix fresh mocktails in the summer months, or bake sweet treats over the fire. The cooking classes introduce little ones to the flavours and traditions of Zimbabwe, creating warm, flour-dusted memories against the backdrop of the African bush.
Alongside these hands-on activities, the lodge offers comforting, nutritious meals designed with kids in mind; fresh fruits and vegetables, classic favourites, and flexible family dining that fits effortlessly around game drives or early bedtimes. At Somalisa Acacia, food is truly part of the adventure.
Tembo Plains. As part of the Great Plains Young Explorers Programme, kids are invited to take part in fun, interactive cooking sessions designed especially for them.
Guided by the camp’s friendly team, children learn the basics of preparing simple, Zimbabwe-inspired dishes, discovering local ingredients and flavours along the way. It’s an engaging, age-appropriate experience that blends creativity, culture and confidence-building, all in a relaxed safari setting.
These cooking classes are just one highlight of Tembo Plains’ family-friendly offerings, sitting alongside bush skills, crafts and nature-based activities. The result? A memorable experience that lets kids connect with the destination in a deliciously hands-on way, while parents enjoy the magic of safari knowing their little ones are having just as much fun.
Children are also well catered for with flexible, kid friendly. Young guests can enjoy familiar favourites alongside lighter, nutritious options, with snacks and treats available throughout the day. Meals can be easily adapted to suit preferences and dietary needs, ensuring relaxed and enjoyable dining for the whole family.
SOUTH AFRICA
Kwandwe Ecca Lodge remains one of the most thoughtful family lodges on the continent, and its children’s dining experience sets it apart. Kids can tuck into the specially curated kids’ menu, with dishes like chicken skewers, sausage and mash, homemade pasta, and ice cream drizzled with warm toffee sauce- simple, delicious, and always well-loved.
Meals can be served early for little ones, and the lodge often arranges relaxed children’s dining under the stars in the boma, giving parents a chance to enjoy a peaceful meal while young travellers sit together around their own table.
What makes Ecca Lodge particularly special is the balance it strikes between fun, comforting options and more wholesome choices like veggie-packed soups or fish cakes with fresh vegetables.
Kids can also enjoy cookie baking and decorating with the lodges dedicated chefs and childminders. At Ecca Lodge; warmth, ease, and thoughtfulness are always in mind to make every aspect of kids’ dining a fun and memorable experience.
Marataba Safari Lodge brings vibrant fun to the kids’ dining experience, combining flexible family meals with creative culinary adventures. Children can enjoy classic favourites like burgers, fresh fruit, vegetables, hot chocolates, even marshmallows on movie nights, while also venturing into the lodge’s bush kitchen to make pizzas or decorate cupcakes.
For younger guests (ages three to five), Marataba even offers special family morning game drives, often ending with breakfast or snacks served right in the wild. It’s a blend of play, comfort, and exploration, everything a family could hope for.
TANZANIA
Little Chem Chem & Forest Chem Chem invites kids into the kitchen itself. Set between Tarangire and Lake Manyara, families are encouraged to slow down and savour each moment. Children get hands-on with local ingredients, learning to knead dough for Tanzanian Ajemi Bread, squeeze fresh juices from exotic fruits, and explore the sensory world of African cooking.
These cooking classes are calm, earthy, and quietly enchanting. Perfect for families seeking a slower rhythm.
At mutiple Singita Serengeti Properties’ mini cooking courses are offered in the form of relaxed, hands-on “cooking interactions” where children bake or prepare simple dishes alongside the lodges’ chefs.
This may happen in a cozy homestead-style kitchen or a full demonstration studio, giving kids a creative break from game drives and letting them feel at home while learning something new.
These sessions are fun, flexible, and family-oriented, often paired with other child-friendly activities like crafts, nature lessons, and games, making safari time both engaging and memorable for young guests.
KENYA
Across Kenya’s Saruni Basecamp properties, children are welcomed into a world where food becomes a bridge to culture. Through cooking classes guided by camp chefs or local Maasai community members, young guests might learn to make mandazi (traditional doughnuts), grill skewers, or prepare their own simple lunches.
It’s a chance for children to connect to place and people, discovering East Africa’s culinary heritage one delicious bite at a time.
At Angama Mara, young guests are invited to step into a world of discovery where cooking, gardening and play come together in a fun and meaningful way.
Children can roll up their sleeves in the lodge kitchen, trying their hand at baking as they whisk, knead and create delicious treats under the guidance of the team. Beyond the kitchen, the experience continues in the Shamba, where kids explore the garden, pick fresh fruits and vegetables, gather eggs and learn where their food really comes from.
These interactive moments turn everyday meals into exciting stories, blending creativity, learning and safari life whilst leaving kids with memories just as special as their wildlife encounters.
MADAGASCAR
At Miavana by Time+Tide, young guests can step into the role of “mini chefs”, enjoying hands on cooking adventures designed to delight and inspire. From decorating cupcakes, to baking cookies and crafting pizzas, to exploring simple Malagasy recipes, children get to play, create and taste their culinary creations under the expert guidance of the resort’s chefs. Mealtimes are a joy at Miavana, with flexible dining options crafted to suit your family’s tastes, and thoughtfully designed kids’ menus that make every meal fun and stress free.
SEYCHELLES
Alphonse Island, a wonderful destination for families, where food turns into a fun, hands-on adventure for kids.
Children can get involved in relaxed cooking activities that introduce them to local island flavours, fresh garden produce and simple techniques, making the experience both playful and educational.
Dining is equally stress-free thanks to thoughtfully designed kids’ menus with smaller portions and familiar favourites, all prepared using the same high-quality, fresh ingredients as the adult dishes.
Combined with the island’s warm, family-focused atmosphere, these cooking experiences and child-friendly menus help kids feel included, curious and excited about food, while parents can enjoy knowing their little ones are eating well and having fun at the same time.
Across Africa’s most breathtaking landscapes, these properties are redefining what it means to travel with children. Whether through nourishing kids’ menus designed with care or hands-on cooking classes that spark creativity, each one transforms mealtimes into magical moments.
For young explorers, these experiences become some of the most cherished parts of the journey and for parents, they offer the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and connection.
If you’re planning a family trip and want your kids to taste the flavours of Africa, get in touch, and we’ll help you create the trip of a lifetime, with some of the best kids’ foodie activities around!
